Sorta Settled

Hi ya'll!

Thanks so much to everyone for the sweet comments and well-wishes during this blogging break. I am so thrilled to say that we have safely landed in our new home and are fast at work feathering our new nest. The Coach has been like a man possessed this past month - cleaning and building and gardening and shopping . . . oh my! It would be impossible for me to say how much I appreciate all he has done to fix up the first house we have called home. Hard to believe, right? That it would be impossible for me to say something- the woman who can say so little with so many words. But really, it's too much. He's a rock star.

I am about halfway through my Google Reader and still have so much to read. I promised myself I would not comment on anyone's blogs while I do my catch-up reading. I have an inappropriate amount of blog guilt that tends to worsen when I start picking and choosing where I comment, so I am forcing myself to shut my mouth until I am finally caught up! Lots of great stuff has been posted in the past two weeks (is that it? Two weeks? I could swear it's been two months!), so this bloggy Quiet Game is causing me no small amount of anguish, but I gotta stick to it. Thanks for your patience.

The Coach's vacation time lasts through next week, so my time online will continue to be a bit sketchy as we finish a mountain of projects together. And, oh yeah! We are at T-minus two months until Little Sister arrives, and I am nesting like never before. Looking forward very much though to swimming the gentle waters of my favorite pools in the blogosphere very, very soon!

Blog, Interrupted

Just when I was getting into my blogging groove . . .

Our internet service gets switched to the new house sometime today ("sometime before 5 pm" - so helpful when they are so specific . . .), but I can't say for sure when I will be back online. We have family coming in to help with the unpacking and setting up of the new household, and for a variety of other reasons, you may not see this SortaCrunchy mama again until the middle of July.

In the meantime, if you could help me out by not sharing any not-to-be-missed insights, hilarious stories, or darling pictures, that would be great. Then I won't be sitting around wondering what I am missing out on!

In my absence, be good, eat lots of ice cream, and stay happy, healthy, and bare-footed!

Presenting the Royal Heinie!

Ya'll are going to LOVE this!

As part of Stephanie's summer of giveaways, she is offering up a super cool diaper purse from Stroller Mama. Um, take yourself just a minute to shop through Stroller Mama! Clearly, they have some of the best selection of such cool baby gear!!

But isn't this My Royal Heinie just the cutest little thing? And ya gotta love mom-invented stuff because you know it's been tested by the pros. As it turns out, the Key West (which Stephanie is giving away) is the very one I would have chosen myself.

Be sure to get your entry in by Sunday evening. As with all of Steph's giveaways, it's so super easy.

Happy shopping!

Yes, but what shall we call her?

What does it say about me as a writer that I am much more prone to posting lists these days than anything of substance?

At any rate, here's my first ever Thursday Thirteen!

Little Sister remains nameless. This causes no small amount of grrrrrrr for me when everyone - EVERYONE! - is asking if we have picked a name yet. Granted, The Coach and I won't reveal her name until she arrives, but there's a difference in telling people "no, not yet!" with a grin because we are being coy, and telling people "no, not yet!" because we are fairly convinced there just is not a name out there for this child.

When we came across Dacey's name, we just knew. It spoke to us. It sang to us. It took a while to find it, but when we found it, we knew. That magic moment hasn't happened yet as we have gone through name negotiations this time. I do have to say on hubby's behalf that he is being much more reasonable this time. He still isn't making name lists of his own, but rather than meeting each suggestion with "NO!" or instantly coming up with every possible awful playground nickname a name could create, he has offered up lots of "hmmmmm . . . maybe . . ."

So, here are thirteen names on the list right now. In no particular order.

Oh, and the meaning of a name is fairly important to me, so I have included their meanings.

And her middle name will be Joy. Or maybe Kate. But probably Joy.

1. Adeline Joy (nickname Addie; Kyle's great-aunt's name was Adeline)
noble, kind

2. Jocelyn Joy (or possible Jocelyn Anne)
merry

3. Daphne Joy
of the laurel tree

4. Kalila Joy
A darling girl, sweetheart

5. Laura Joy/Lauren Joy
crowned with laurel

6. Tierney Joy
One who is regal, lordly

7. Misha Joy (long e sound, as in mee sha)
who is like God? love the meaning of this one

8. Mia Joy
who is like God?

9. Laila Joy
a beauty of the night

10. Leisl Joy (our last name is German and pairing it with Leisl is really unique)
my God is bountiful

11. Lizbeth Joy
my God is bountiful

12. Cara Joy
one who is loved

13. Alaina Joy
beautiful and fair; dear child

I covet your feedback! Thoughts on these? And suggestions for others? Maybe someone out there needs to delurk today to offer up just the right name for this child. I am open to feedback of all kinds!

100 Things About Me!

*cue confetti cannons and trumpeters*

Can you believe it? This is my One! Hundredth! Post!

I am delighted to participate in the age-old grand tradition of blogging one hundred things about my sortacrunchy self . . .

1. I like to talk. A lot.

2. I "talk" much more online than I do in real life.

3. I was born in hot and humid Houston, Texas,

4. but did most of my growing up in sorta hot and sorta humid Oklahoma.

5. I have never worn a pair of Wranglers in my life.

6. I can, however, two-step. Sorta.

7. I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was six years old,

8. which seems really young, but my parents and pastor made sure I had a genuine understanding of the concept of salvation.

9. I don't think I really began to live out my faith until I was in my early twenties.

10. I was boy-crazy in high school.

11. I was not a great friend in high school.

12. I was an even worse sister.

13. I am the oldest of four children (two sisters and a brother).

14. Before D was born, I wanted to have five children.

15. Now I think three is a good number.

16. I've been in so many tornadoes I have lost count.

17. I am not afraid of tornadoes, but I am terrified of lightening. Pathologically terrified.

18. I was a senior in high school when the Murrah building in Oklahoma City was bombed.

19. I was buying shoes for prom that morning.

20. My husband (whom I had not met yet) was sitting in class at a university 20 miles north and heard the explosion.

21. My senior year in high school, I went on a cruise in the Bahamas.

22. The only other times I have been outside of the USA were for a day trip to the Canada side of Niagara Falls in college, and a day trip to Matamoras, Mexico, on our honeymoon.

23. I have a degree in Secondary English education from a East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

24. I went to college on a full-ride scholarship in English

25. which I am still convinced I received only as a fluke.

26. But I am still thankful I graduated from school with no school loans.

27. I LOVED COLLEGE!

28. I am an alumna of Chi Omega.

29. My younger sister is a Chi O, too.

30. I was her new member educator in our chapter.

31. I wrote a lot in college.

32. I like to go back and read those papers.

33. I miss being able to read and write all the time.

34. I love college football

35. so much that I married me a college football coach.

36. The fall is my very favorite season of the year.

37. It doesn't really cool off here until October (at the earliest)

38. but I still love the start of school and the beginning of the football season.

39. I have a love/hate relationship with Texas

40. depending on what the weather is like.

41. I taught English for three years before D was born.

42. I taught sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

43. I loved it.

44. But I could never go back to teaching English now that I have children.

45. If I ever do go back to work, I want to be a school librarian.

46. I am a born nerd

47. and not the least bit ashamed of it.

48. I love coffee!

49. I was, at one time, a barista at Starbucks.

50. I am something of a coffee snob.

51. Ever since I worked at Starbucks, I drink my coffee black

52. but I am not opposed to a toffee nut latte every now and again either.

53. I drink coffee even when I am pregnant.

54. One cup a day.

55. The only time I have completely cut out coffee was the first month of breastfeeding D.

56. Maybe that's why she wasn't a good sleeper as a baby.

57. Even when not pregnant, I cry at the drop of a hat.

58. My husband says I am the "cryingist" person he knows.

59. I cry at commercials, I cry at TV shows, I cry at movies.

60. It's embarrassing really, but not much I can do to change it.

61. I am really anal retentive about some things

62. like being on time. I cannot stand to be late.

63. I am really laid-back about other things

64. like cleaning house.

65. I was born without the house cleaning gene.

66. I especially loathe cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen.

67. I do, however, like to vacuum.

68. I vacuum every other day.

69. I like to do laundry!

70. Buy I hate ironing.

71. I love reality TV.

72. We don't have cable, just local stations.

73. I miss Project Runway the most.

74. Oh, and the Food Network.

75. I love to cook!

76. I love to bake!

77. I wish I had a full-time housekeeper.

78. My three favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby and Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love.

79. My favorite movies are O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Burbs, and Secondhand Lions.

80. I couldn't choose my favorite songs to save my life, but three of my favorite CDs are Dixie Chicks' Fly and Jimmy Buffet's Songs You Know by Heart, and Alanis Morisette's Jagged Little Pill.

81. I got married three days before my 21st birthday.

82. I didn't believe it at the time, but we really were just kids!

83. Before D was born, I had never had stitches.

84. I have never broken any bones.

85. I wish I were funnier.

86. My husband is one of the funniest people I have ever met.

87. I have crazy, crazy dreams

88. that only get crazier when I am pregnant.

89. My family calls me Joseph the Dreamer.

90. I love dark chocolate.

91. I also LOVE cereal.

92. I eat at least one bowl a day, but that is just the bare minimum.

93. I am nosey.

94. I like to eavesdrop.

95. I think that is why I like reading blogs so much. It's socially acceptable eavesdropping.

96. I haven't had a haircut in six months.

97. I have never been to a water park. Or water-skiing. Or snow-skiing.

98. I am a lousy singer.

99. I have a ton of freckles.

100. Evidently, I am pretty self-centered because this list of 100 wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be!

One hundred posts! One hundred things you were dying to know about me! Come on, bring on the comments. You know you want to. ;)

Connected

"Come lay down next to me," was the invitation as I set the fresh and full coffee mug on his bedside table this morning.

I slipped under the sheets next to him (well, as much as my seven months pregnant self can "slip" under anything) and wrapped my arm around him, my chest to his back. Eyes closed, I am taken back to many, many mornings in the first years of our marriage when we had nothing else to do other than lay next to each other in bed and talk, accompanied by the music of morning birds and illuminated by the gentle prodding of the rising sun.

In those days, with my chest to his back and my arm around him, I remember my heartbeat keeping time with his. Now a pregnant belly is sandwiched between our heartbeats, confirming rather than interrupting our connection.

It is not always like this. There are times when I feel I am standing on a beach, watching our intimacy recede further and further away, washed out to an unswimmable expanse by tides of distraction, exhaustion, and miscommunication.

I operate under an unshakable belief that life moves ever forward in cycles.

A couple of months before we were married, we went through a ropes course together. I was so scared. He, of course, was not. Vividly I remember being up - so far up! - above the ground, shaking and unsure. He held my safety line and called up to me with words of empowerment and courage. My Coach.

It isn't until we awaken to find ourselves in a season of stress that I realize how tightly I am gripping that safety line. Daunting circumstances and difficult days can be a breeding ground for distance, severing the cords of connection; but, oh, what sweet surrender in allowing myself to slow down and accept an invitation to come lay down next to him. My man.

On this day

I've been tagged! Ingrid tagged me for this easy and fun little meme.

ON THIS DAY
Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday (only the month and day). Choose and write down 3 events, 2 births and 1 holiday. Then tag 5 friends.

June 16th

1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses.
1846 - The Papal conclave of 1846 concludes. Pope Pius IX is elected pope, beginning the longest reign in the history of the papacy (not counting St. Peter).
1960 - Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho opens in New York.

1938 - Joyce Carol Oates, American novelist
1971 - Tupac Shakur, American Rapper

Bloomsday, in honour of Leopold Bloom, the hero of James Joyce's Ulysses set on 16 June, 1904.

I tag Karen, Lauren, Mary Ann, Nikkie, and Sara!

To her Daddy

Father's Day! Before I forget, Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband and to all of the fathers out there.

As I was purging and packing last week, I came across a little something I had written years ago when I was teaching. I could just kick myself for not dating this or noting to myself the occasion for having written it . . . all I know is I must have written it at school because it's scribbled on stationery I used only in my classroom.

I have debated all week on whether or not to publish it here. It's pretty simplistic and cutesy and almost cheesy, but it illustrates an aspect of my relationship with God that has never been more real to me than in the past year. My relationship with my father is complicated. I love him, of course . . . but the word that best defines the way I experience my father is unsteady. Because I have never really been able to rely on my earthly father for stability, I have been able to experience the unchanging, ever-reliable love of my Heavenly Father with such sweet depth that I have the freedom to love my earthly father just for who he is. And that allows me the freedom to rejoice in the truth of Romans 8:15 where the Apostle Paul writes, ". . . the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' "

Again, I can't remember the exact circumstances that prompted this little writing. Please know that I never feel more naked and exposed than when I share my writing with anyone, but I feel sharing this is one way of living out my desire to be more authentic with what I write here.

A Little Girl To Her Daddy

Daddy, I don't feel good.
You don't feel good? Show me where it hurts.
Right here.
Your heart?
Uh-huh. My heart hurts.
Why does your heart hurt?
I think it's broken.
Child, how did your heart get broken? Tell me what happened.
Well, it all started when I had an idea. It was just a thought, really. Then it started to grow. I took care of it and loved it and watched it bloom. That thought grew into a dream. It was a good dream, Daddy, one that I really wanted to come true. I thought it would make me happy. But now I know it won't be coming true. And that's why my heart hurts.
Oh my child, I understand what has happened. You set your heart on a dream, a beautiful dream that you believed I wanted to come true for you. Your heart began to race and soar at the thought of this dream becoming big and true and real. The moment your heart broke is the moment you thought your beautiful and well-cared for dream had withered and died.
But look, child.
Your dream isn't dead at all. You just don't recognize it because it's changing. Little one, I know your heart and I know your dreams. You wanted to follow this dream as it bloomed down this path because this path looked like happiness.
But I know this path, and I know that in the end, it wouldn't bring you happiness; instead, it would bring you hurt. I want to protect you because that's what Daddies do. And that's why I'm not going to allow you to go down that path. That's why I am tending to your dream and helping it to grow and change.
I know your heart hurts right now. Put it in My Hands and I will heal it. Then take My Hand and hold on tight because that dream is growing and changing into something far more beautiful than you ever imagined it could be. I can't wait to show you all I have planned to keep your spirit soaring.

Thank you, Daddy. I feel better already.

Babywearing photo tag!

I'll tell ya what . . . this moving business is seriously interfering with my computer time! I can't say nearly as much as I want to! As I am packing, I have written countless posts in my head and feel quite confident they will have disappeared by the time we settle in to the new house. *big sigh* Anyway.

Sweet Friends Lori and Shannon have posted pictures for Whitney's photo tag of babywearing, and I wanted to get one quick picture up while I have just few minutes!

My favorite picture of D being worn is this one:

This is one of my favorites of many babywearing pictures because the sling I am wearing is a CassieBeanie Ring Sling, made by my Sweet Friend Shannon. (Yes! I know the shoulder desperately needs to be ajdusted. It was one of those off moments!) We have had a lot of slings come and go in the ol' stash, but this is the only one made by someone I know. It's the perfect length and perfect fabric for us. I still carry it in the car for "just in case" even though it has been a long time since I could get D's long ol' legs to fit in.


I got hooked on babywearing because D refused to lay in her carseat carrier while we grocery shopped. (Think of that unique newborn shriek little ones can let loose with when they are not happy, and that is what I mean by refused!) One trip through the store with her in one arm and pushing a cart with the other was enough to convince me we had to find a better solution. My very first ever carrier was an Evenflo Snugli. *blush* Then a friend in an online community posted pictures of her wearing her son in a Lucky Baby pouch. Just one look . . . that was all it took . . .

Right now, our carrier stash is pretty sparse. I have an Ergo (on loan to a friend), our CBRS, a Chicken Scratch Ring Sling, and a WAHM made pouch (can't remember where I got that one). Before Little Sister arrives, I would like to get a Moby for those newborn days, and then I will have to have another Mei Tai.

Fun tag, Whitney! Thank you!

PS

I almost forgot!

Happy, happy birthday to my birthday twin Sweet Friend Keara!!! I so wish we could celebrate together.

Also, happy birthday to one of my favorite Bible teachers and amazing writers, Beth Moore!! (Yep, she is a birthday twin, too! I always felt a cosmic connection with her . . . *grin*)

Thirty While I'm Thirty

Thirty years ago today, a week past my expected day of arrival in the sweltering and muggy heat of Houston, my saint of a mother joyfully delivered me into this world.

I cannot express to you how much I have been looking forward to this birthday! Maybe it's just me, but I feel there is a certain sense of authenticity . . . believability . . . maybe even authority? . . . that blooms once you hit the thirties decade. Whereas my sweet husband actually mourned the day of his thirtieth birthday (and still lives in denial of each passing year), I welcome today and the years that follow with great anticipation and many expectations.

I cannot take credit for the idea of creating a list in honor of my thirtieth. Sweet Friend Mandy created this one as a list of goals to accomplish before her thirtieth. Clearly, I am not on the ball as all that, but I think this one will work nicely.

Thirty While I'm Thirty
1. Write (and send!) an actual thank you note for every single gift that I or one of the girls receive.
2. Start - and finish!! - a knitting project. Something a little more adventurous than doll baby blankets.
3. Send an actual birthday card to each family member on his/her birthday. I have an embarrassing stack of birthday cards in my correspondence basket - all purchased with the best of intentions, so very few of them actually sent.
4. Keep a steady supply of stamps on hand.
5. Take my car to be serviced on time, every time.
6. Run my car through the car wash at least once a month and then vacuum it.
7. Practice at least five Random Acts of Kindness.
8. Invest time and energy into my physical health and well-being.
9. Create at least one project on my sad and lonely and seldom-ever-used sewing machine.
10. Live with an attitude of reducing, reusing, and recycling anything I possibly can.
11. Create a compost pile.
12. Garden.
13. Listen more, judge less.
14. Turn the TV off more.
15. Read at least one of The Great Books. (You know - something from the classical canon, something everyone would think a former English teacher would have read, but chances are I probably haven't!)
16. Go to my local LLL meeting at least every other month.
17. Enjoy the early days, weeks, and months of Little Sister's life instead of stressing over little things.
18. Make it a priority to spend time in Scripture reading and prayer at least five days a week.
19. Take my husband on more dates.
20. Write my grandmother a letter once a month.
21. Send my dad more pictures of D (he is computerly challenged and doesn't get email updates).
22. Try to foster a relationship with my brother, even when he rejects my attempts.
23. Complain less.
24. Choose joy.
25. Invite friends over for dinner.
26. Create an environment in my home that welcomes anyone at anytime.
27. Get more involved at church.
28. Be more intentional in the way I steward our money and my time.
29. Hold off on at least half of the unsolicited advice I offer.
30. WRITE MORE!

So there you have it. Feel free to check in on my progress at any given time - I welcome accountability!

Changes in latitude, changes in attitude . . .

Happy, happy Friday morning to ya, sweet friends and readers!

Two BIG things:

1) Changes in latitude - Today is the day we pick up the keys to our First! Ever! House! Nine years of apartment living have been, well, okay. God has provided exactly what we needed at exactly the right time. But from the day we stepped off the plane from our honeymoon and drove home to our Married Student Housing hovel apartment, I've had a burning desire and unceasing ache in my soul to have a little house to come home to. We are literally changing our latitude by a few clicks on the compass as our move will take us from the very south edge of our little Hill Country town all the way up to the north edge. I am so excited for a new neighborhood! You can be sure there will be more on this later . . .

2) Changes in attitude - SO! What do you think of SortaCrunchy's new look?! I am so thrilled by Jules's work! The most gorgeous surprise in all of this was that I had told her that my favorite color is purple, but I wasn't sure how that could fit into the overall vision I had for SortaCrunchy. Imagine my delight in how she found a way to make it work perfectly!! Thank you, thank you again, Jules. And for all my blogarina friends who are thinkin' about a makeover of your own, I cannot say enough good things about working with Jules!

Hand in hand with the new look here will be some changes to content. For a long time, I tried to focus my posts on parenting issues - natural parenting, specifically. At this point, however, I feel I am not being true to the complete picture of my sortacrunchy self because I have refrained from incorporating my spiritual beliefs in my writing. I know it's taking a slight risk because I know that several (many?) of my readers differ from me in spiritual backgrounds and beliefs, and so I hope I don't drive anyone away with this new direction. My overall vision is to allow this blog to represent the intersection between a faith in Christ (and what that looks like lived out) and choosing natural living as part of life on this planet. I am a little scared but mostly a lot excited to see how this will play out.

Thanks for being such amazing readers and friends. Stay tuned!

Some of the best

The plan today was to post a Thursday Thirteen listing all the reasons I am looking forward to my thirties (the big 3-0 is on Saturday!). Or some such nonsense along those lines. But then this morning I read an entry from Megan over at The Velveteen Mind that stopped me in my tracks.

If you have just a few minutes, go grab a cup of coffee or pour some sweet tea over ice and sit yourself down. This is some of the best personal writing I have read in a while. Delicate in its subtlety, powerful in its truth. So beautiful, it will make your heart ache . . . Victor Vito.

(sorta) Wordless Wednesday

Love makes little things grow . . .

Pardon me while I freak out

A few things on my Freak Out list:

Freak Out Number One - Twelve weeks from today, we are scheduled to welcome Little Sister into our little family. Twelve weeks, ya'll! Do you know how not-really-all-that-long that is?! Do you know how utterly unprepared I am?

Freak Out Number Two - This is a really great, really fun kind of freak out. I am working with Jules of Everyday Mommy (and Everyday Design) to bring a brand new look to SortaCrunchy! We had a great chat yesterday about the plans, and I am so thrilled that she and I are on the same page. I absolutely cannot wait to see how it all comes together!!
(In case you were wondering, she is behind the brilliant designs at Rocks in My Dryer, Velveteen Mind, Chili Tried, and other lovelies!!!) A very, very good freak out, indeed.

Freak Out Number Three - (Okay, this really isn't a freak out at all. I just find lists of three to be more complete than lists of two.) Just wanted to be able to say that nine years ago today, on a gorgeous Oklahoma summer day, within the walls of my hometown church, surrounded by family and friends, The Coach and I became husband and wife. (And I mean literally surrounded . . . I had eight bridesmaids, ya'll. EIGHT. The Coach had to do a little creative thinking to come up with an equal number of groomsmen.) Happy anniversary to my hubby (who already beat me to the anniversary greeting by texting me before he went to bed last night). I cannot wait to see what the next nine years hold in store for us.